The New Moon of 12/24 in Astrology

Following the winter solstice, the New Moon at 2 degrees Capricorn was on 12/14 at 6:07 PM GMT. The Moon's outstanding aspects are its conjunction with Pluto, square Uranus, and trine Jupiter. The Moon is also forming parallel aspects with Venus and Mercury. Saturn is trine Neptune, and Mercury is square Mars. We also notice that Jupiter is changing direction from retrograde to direct.

While the Moon is drawing our attention to the coming Uranus square Pluto aspect, she is also pointing to Jupiter's trine with Pluto. That with her parallels with Venus and Mercury are telling us that this month will bring some positive developments and opportunities to the world. Moon trine Jupiter favors commerce and trade. It brings growth. Moon parallel Venus says the same and favors social activities, festivities, and theatrical events. It also favors diplomatic relations and affords opportunities for international understandings. Moon parallel Mercury favors commercial activities, publishing, science, and speech making. This is a significant time to listen to what political figures are saying. All in all, despite the growing tensions shown by Uranus coming to square Pluto, this is an active month for business. It opens a window of opportunity.

The Saturn trine Neptune aspect points to the people benefiting through some political reforms in the making. Trade and the markets will benefit through this Saturn/Neptune aspect.

The Mercury square Mars aspect points to coming arguments. Mercury square Mars believes that the pen is sharper than the sword. It would suggest that the interests of business and commercial interests have a good chance to override the current sword rattling, at least for the time being.

The New Moon was in the 22nd lunar mansion. The 22nd lunar mansion enhances personal power, but does not favor making loans, nor does it does favor speculating. But, it will help you if you are trying to get out of a tight spot. On the personal level, the 22nd lunar mansion casts a shadow over marriage, and cautions about dealings with women in the family. Be careful.

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Capricorn ingress, 2011, in mundane astrology

The Capricorn ingress, or winter solstice, occured at 5:31 AM GMT on December 22nd. The outstanding aspects of the Sun at 00 degrees Capricorn include a trine to Jupiter at 00 degrees Taurus and a square to Uranus at 00 degrees Aries. The Sun is also conjunct Pluto at 6 degrees Capricorn. The Moon at the solstice was at 26 degrees Scorpio casting a square to Neptune at 28 degrees Aquarius and a trine to Uranus at 00 Aries.

The Sun conjunct Pluto and trine Jupiter and the Moon trine Uranus are very uplifting, and give us some cause for a more optimistic sense of things to come this winter. On the other hand, the Sun and Pluto square Uranus and the Moon square Neptune tell us that the same old crazy game of tyranny and misinformation is being played to everyone's consternation. Uranus at 00 degrees Aries tells us that this is critical. The critical nature of current circumstances, however, will push those in power to take more positive forms of action. Sun trine Jupiter is good for trade and financial growth.

The Moon at the solstice is in her 19th Mansion. The 19th lunar mansion is not tranquil. It favors hunting and the persuit of personal aims. It does not favor settling down on the job or at home; everything is shifting. What this suggests is that social, financial and business conditions are going to be unstable this winter. It is a good idea for the wise to go hunting, figuratively speaking. The Moon square Neptune warns us of trickery, deceptions and losses along the way, but the Moon trine Uranus tells us that through it there is a breakthrough; there is light at the end of the tunnel. Those who venture forth with eyes wide open will benefit.

The Moon at the solstice is in her 24th house, there being 28 lunar houses in all. The 24th house warns of insincere relations, and advises you to play your cards close to the chest. The 24th lunar house strongly confirms the indications of the 19th mansion; it encourages traveling, and changing of the status quo. This winter is a generally good time for shifting, changing, traveling, and moving. On the political and economic front it shows conditions in a mutable state. The markets will continue to be unstable. But, with the Sun trine Jupiter there will be some big gains. This is a good time for expanding your business against the odds. The Moon waning at the solstice tells us to decide and act; the waning moon shows a general sense in the world to conclude matters quickly.

The solstice chart in the UK has the Sun in the 1st house, Pluto in the 2nd, Uranus in the 4th house, and Jupiter in the 5th. The Moon is in the 12th house, and Neptune is in the 3rd. The Government is in difficult circumstances with respect to foreign relations and trade. But, diplomatic relations are improving to the advantage of Britain. The Sun and Pluto trine Jupiter in the 5th house favors financial gains, and speculation on the stock market. On the other hand, the Sun square Uranus in the 4th house warns of explosions in public buildings, possible mining disasters, and trouble with water mains. There is also a level of critical discontentment among the people with respect to property taxes and the cost of housing. The Moon, rising in the 12th house square Neptune in the 3rd warns of chaotic conditions on the streets involving crime, and agitation among the poor, also misinformation coming from the news media. The Moon and Ascendent conjunct the star Alpha Centauri show important diplomatic activity that, while involving disputes, will result in success for current British interests.

The solstice charts for Bruxelles and Berlin have some important differences. In a nutshell, it looks like Bruxelles pulls the wool over the eyes of Germany, and Germany obliges them and gets defrauded. In Germany, Neptune is in the 2nd house square the Moon in the 12th. This is bad for Germany's economic picture this quarter. Neptune is trine Saturn in the 10th house in Germany, Saturn ruling the 2nd house, and Venus, ruler of the 10th house in the 2nd in mutual reception with Saturn in the 10th, meaning that the Government is allowing the very undesirable state of affairs to continue and is doing all it can to bend over backwards and accomodate the thieves. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Sun in the 1st house trine to Jupiter in the 4th is causing real estate prices to rise, and the Sun square Uranus in the 3rd house is causing a lot of arguing, potential strikes, thefts, possible road and rail accidents, and trouble with the post office. Crazy events will be reported in the news.

The solstice chart in Tehran does not show war this winter quarter. The Moon in the 10th house, however, is square Neptune in the 1st showing a great deal of bewilderment and unhappiness among the people with respect to conditions related to international affairs involving the Government and to the economic conditions that look anything but prosperous now. The Sun in the 11th house is square Uranus in the 2nd, spelling unexpected losses. The Moon in the 10th house trine Uranus in the 2nd, however, shows people in the highest circles of the Government enjoying sudden gains. The Iranian people are suffering from poverty while those who rule them are taking in all the money. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? The Sun in the 11th house is trine Jupiter in the 3rd. This favors roads; lots going on between Iran and her neighbors. Jupiter rules the 2nd house; commerce between Iran and her neighbors brings in money, and the money goes up to the top while the people live in want. Wages of workers especially in the areas of postal services, roads, news media and publishing, however, will improve despite the general indication to the contrary. Sun in the 11th house trine Jupiter in the 3rd improves the Government's relations with neigboring lands.

The solstice chart in China has Jupiter conjunct the Ascendent and the Sun in the 9th house. This is the best possible indication for China. The country is protected, and is benefiting in foreign relations. The ruler of the Ascendent, Venus, is in the 10th house showing the Government making a very glamorous appearance. There will be festive public events and ceremonies; trade will improve; the land will enjoy greater peace and prosperity; artists will receive honors; China will be proud. Venus is sextile Uranus denoting remarkable progress in scientific areas this winter, and a significant marriage in the highest echelons, or a diplomatic union of great significance. The Moon is in the 7th house square Neptune in the 11th. This is a mundane trine and zodiac square aspect. It means that though shrewd manipulations China will come out on top in international relations and dealings now. Land and property is being acquired.

The solstice chart in Australia has Neptune in the 10th house square the Moon in the 7th bringing disgrace to the current Government, especially to a woman in the Government. International entanglements are putting the Australian Government in fix. Neptune in the 10th house is trine Saturn in the 6th pointing to military, especially naval affairs involved in the matter. There is also danger coming from the area of big corporate agriculture, as seen especially in New Zealand now. The Sun is in the 8th house trine Jupiter in the 12th and square Uranus in the 11th. It speaks of endings with particularly critical stress on the Parliament. It points to changes in the Government coming up.

The solstice chart in the US has the Moon in the 2nd house square Neptune in the 5th making for more dangers of losses in the markets and banks. The Moon ruling the 10th house points to Government involvement in these areas. The Sun is in the 3rd house trine Jupiter in the 7th. International relations and communications are improving. But, important to note, both Sun and Moon and a total of eight planets are below the horizon, denoting much happening in secrecy; a lot will pass unnoticed. The Sun is square Uranus in the 6th while Venus, the ruler of the US winter solstice chart is in the 4th house sextile Uranus. This points to the critical matter of jobs and offers us some hope, as Venus sextile Uranus will improve the situation to some degree, especially in the more high tech and innovative areas. On the other hand, Sun in the 3rd house square Uranus in the 6th warns of continuing police violence on the streets, possible insubordination among military personel, and accidents and explosions, possibly on warships.

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To find out what is in store for you this quarter, Raphael is available for personal readings and consultations. To find out more about Raphael's services visit www.raphaelsimons.com.

The Lunar Eclipse of 12/10/11 in mundane astrology

The lunar eclipse occured on December 10th at 2:33 PM GMT. The eclipsed moon was at 18:08 Gemini, in conjunction with the star Bellatrix (the Warrioress) and square Mars denoting lots of harsh words and rattling of swords in the world. A lunar eclipse between 10 and 20 degrees of Gemini denotes sudden movement of armies. The time is perilous. We can give three months for the effects of the eclipse to unfold. It certainly heats up matters.

Mars at the lunar eclipse was square the lunar nodes. This adds to the tension and supports the likelihood of violence.

Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, is the despositor of the eclipsed Moon. Mercury was retrograde at the eclipse. This means that people change their mind, go back on their word, and lie. Trickery and betrayal register.

The eclipse interacts with the Fall Equinox chart; the Fall Equinox was on 9/23/11. We note that Uranus turned from retrograde to direct on the day of the eclipse, and that Uranus, at 00 degrees Aries, is in opposition to the Fall Equinox Sun This denotes a crisis in authority, autocratic political figures seizing power illegally, with consequential anger and potential rebellion among the people. The political atmosphere is tense and angry. Uranus at 00 degrees Aries is on a critical degree, denoting a crisis. Uranus is coming to square Pluto, now at 6 degrees Capricorn. The content of this crisis is going to unfold in the world in a most complicated way over the coming four to five years.

The Sun at the eclipse is in conjunction with the Fall Equinox north lunar node at 18 degrees Sagittarius. This means that the actions indicated in the Fall Equinox chart are now at a point of going forward, the north node denoting opening and expanding. To get a better sense of what this means, read this writer's analysis of the Fall Equinox.

The lunar eclipse is in the 7th Lunar Mansion. The 7th Lunar Mansion runs between 17 and 30 degrees Gemini. Its influence is exercised mainly in the mental and intuitive plane. The nature of this Lunar Mansion suggests that whatever violence develops will start with harsh words, lies and betrayals of trust.

We should watch what is happening between the EU and the UK now. In addition, we should watch countries ruled by Gemini, including the USA, Belgium, Egypt, the west of England and Wales.

The eclipse was visible over the far West of the USA and the Pacific. Watch for seismic activity in Ring of Fire. San Francisco is ruled by Gemini.

The eclipse charts for the UK and the EU have the eclipsed Moon in the 1st house and the Sun in the 7th house. This shows international tension. Mars is in the 5th house. This shows fighting in diplomatic circles. Mercury is in opposition to the Ascendent, showing plans falling through, and people changing their minds and going back on their word, causing losses. The Ascendent of the eclipse chart in the UK is at 25 degrees Taurus, conjunct the star Algol. Algol is one of the most malefic stars in the heavens. It shows the matter getting out of hand and people losing their minds. Political fighting between the UK and the EU is rancorous. In the context of transiting Pluto, the situation between the UK and EU will probably come to a major, seriously difficult crossroads late in 2012 and 2013.

The eclipse chart for the US has the eclipsed Moon in the 5th house with the Sun in the 11th house and Mars in the 8th house. The eclipse Moon rules the 7th house. This points to diplomatic wrangling. Mars in the 8th house involves the debt and losses of money. Uranus in the 2nd house shows the critical condition of the national economy. The stock market will be extremely unstable. The eclipse Moon opposite the Sun in the 11th house is polarizing the political picture. Mars afflicted in the 8th house of the eclipse chart denotes accidents and deaths by fire and crime. Be very careful through the holidays. Mars in the 8th house also denotes an increase in deaths in the military.

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